Greenpeace Kicked out of London Mac Expo!

After a very small trial run yesterday at the Regent Street’s Apple store the Green my Apple team took the message to London’s big annual Mac shindig –Mac Expo.

We had our official stall explaining the campaign – our volunteers outside were handing out real organic green apples to spread the word outside and encourage people to stop by the stall and show their support for a better greener Apple.

Behind the scenes key exhibitors were complaining that we were spreading the message for a greener Apple. On request of said mystery exhibitor(s) (any guesses?) we were told to stop handing out leaflets beyond our stall. We did that but again mystery exhibitors and according to security couple of visitors continued to complain about our friendly presence. It seems that the message of a Greener Apple is not welcome by some powerful forces at Mac Expo.

Of course I don’t know for sure which exhibitors complained or any of their grounds for complaint. But you do have to ask why the giving away of a free organic apple and politely engaging with Apple users who are interested in improving Apple’s environmental performance is grounds to have security close our stand we had paid for in the Expo and force us to leave the premises?

So we were only allowed in Mac Expo for four and a half hours - but just removing us from an Expo doesn’t change the fact that many Mac users want a Green Apple. Cupertino, are you listening?

Any comments posted without proper email addresses, e.g. "" - will not be posted. For people who do post their email addresses, we only use them to ensure that you're a real person - we won't spam you, and your email address will not be published.

In reply to Gareth and Joel Edge above -- Greenpeace are taking on those other brands too, and the computer electronics industry in general.
The ...

In reply to Gareth and Joel Edge above -- Greenpeace are taking on those other brands too, and the computer electronics industry in general.
The focus right now is on Apple Computer though, which is chief among PC manufacturers in terms of design innovation. That's what everybody says -- Mac users and PC users alike. If Apple goes green, firms will improve too.

Perhaps it wouldn't be a bad idea to proof read these articles before posting them online for the whole world to see. Whoever wrote this ended up usin...

Perhaps it wouldn't be a bad idea to proof read these articles before posting them online for the whole world to see. Whoever wrote this ended up using "where" instead of "were" twice in the second and third paragraphs.
[Eek, I thought I'd fixed that yesterday, must have mis-saved. Thanks! - Dave]

Sadly, this smacks of coat-tailing on the high profile that Apple has in the media, to drive the agenda here. Shame on you. Where is your former drive...

Sadly, this smacks of coat-tailing on the high profile that Apple has in the media, to drive the agenda here. Shame on you. Where is your former drive to complete representation on issues? Gone by the wayside in order to gain face time in the media. How do you justify this level of media prostitution - the ends justify the means?? I will not be continuing my support of Greenpeace any longer until the organization cleans up its operations.

You hire a stall at MacExpo to raise awareness on an issue that Apple knows will cost it vast amounts of dollars to put right, and then you're surpris...

You hire a stall at MacExpo to raise awareness on an issue that Apple knows will cost it vast amounts of dollars to put right, and then you're surprised that you get booted out?
Oh dear, it seems that you've also fallen for Apples 'we're the nice creative, touchy feely company' propaganda. They're no different from any of the others. In fact, if you take into account their cynical marketing strategies, they're probably worse.
Green my Mac? Don't kid yourselves - changes need to happen at a much more fundamental level to force high polluting manufacturers into re-appraising the way in which they work.
You seem to be looking at Apple all doe-eyed in the hope that they'll be the ones to lead the way, but realise this: they've been in bed with the man for a long long time, and they don't want your green organic apples, they want your greenbacks.

I assume you had a written contract about the stall at the expo? Reeks of breach of contract on their part, not Greenpeace's.
I've been a loyal M...

I assume you had a written contract about the stall at the expo? Reeks of breach of contract on their part, not Greenpeace's.
I've been a loyal Mac user for 10+ years, but I'm not a blind zealot. I fully approve of the message you're trying to get through to Apple here. They are technological front-runners, there's absolutely no reason they can innovate their way to profits but not innovate their way to environmental awareness.

Critics are often misunderstood as people who are against something. Wrong! It`s about improving things you care about.
The reaction at MAC Expo ...

Critics are often misunderstood as people who are against something. Wrong! It`s about improving things you care about.
The reaction at MAC Expo is (again) nothing but really bad PR for Apple. It`s like a "Fuck off" to all eco-minded users.
Remember the "1984" Apple spot? It`s about changing crusted structures and thinking.

I completely agree that Apple should be greener than they are, however i also agree with the person who commented about the flame retardent chemicals,...

I completely agree that Apple should be greener than they are, however i also agree with the person who commented about the flame retardent chemicals, they are needed.
What i do find funny though is the article says they were handing out organic green apples, but the picture clearly shows red apples???

I do enjoy that your guide is based on what companies state as goals on their websites, as opposed to actual practice. I also enjoy that your "Toxic ...

I do enjoy that your guide is based on what companies state as goals on their websites, as opposed to actual practice. I also enjoy that your "Toxic Chemicals in Computers" report contradicts your "Greener Electronics" rankings, with Apple having the least toxic laptop. I even enjoy more the opposite accounts of the MacExpo UK event... and I admit, considering my past experiences with Greenpeace, I tend to believe MacExpo's side of the story.

The only true complaint I see from my research into your reports and the whole truth is that Apple has no take-back program as of yet. Though Apple's computers tend to have double the useful life-span of comparable PCs, take-back would still be nice.

I find it sad that an organization with such noble goals would stoop to publicity stunts and misleading the public. I'd much rather people support the Sierra Club.